Serological and molecular detection of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in horses reared in Korea

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the nationwide prevalence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in horses reared in Korea using a commercial ELISA kit and two different nested PCR (nPCR) analyses. Our analysis showed that 2.9% (true prevalence: 3.1%, 16/549) of the horses were seropositive by ELISA, and none were positive by the two nPCR analyses. Significant differences were observed in the ELISA results when the data were analysed according to breed and geographic region. In light of a recent case of human granulocytic anaplasmosis in Korea and the predicted increase in the number and distribution of ticks due to global warming, continuous monitoring and appropriate control programs for Anaplasma spp. and other tick-borne pathogens need to be established.

Keywords

• anaplasmosis
• elisa
• equine
• pcr
• korea